Graduating duo writing their way to success

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This creative duo will celebrate their writing success this January as they graduate from ECU in front of proud family and friends.

For 87 year-old Master in Writing graduate Ena, studying alongside her daughter was a wonderful experience.

“It was great! Her assistance taking me to campus and her writing knowledge made the process so much more enjoyable,” Ena said.

Ena started her learning career in the 1980’s completing a BA in Comparative Literature. A foundation member of the Peter Cowan Writers’ Centre, situated on the ECU Joondalup campus, she has written and had published poetry, short stories and a memoir.

Her novella All Shall be Well, which is a fictional account of part of the life of mediaeval mystic Julian of Norwich, forms part of her research thesis.

An Honorary Research and Writing Fellow and Sessional Lecturer at ECU, Jo was initially resistant to the idea of sharing the ECU campus with her Mum.

“This is my turf – I thought! But I was won over quickly by our shared enthusiasm and Mum’s unwavering support. She is a great person to have around, to learn from and bounce ideas off.”

The pair fondly reflect on a number of highlights during their time studying at ECU – from the fun drives to and from campus to presenting together at the recent CREATEC Embodied Knowledge Symposium.

PhD graduate and Faculty Research Medal recipient Jo credits her Mum for being her writing role-model.

“Mum is an incredibly youthful 87 and her passion to continually develop her writing really is an inspiration.”

Ena is looking forward to the future, and to the possibility of publishing the novella part of her thesis.

Jo is set to continue her writing and hopes to find publication for a PhD-based memoir dealing with her experience with vulvodynia, while also lecturing at ECU in literature and writing.

Ena and Jo will join over 1,900 ECU students who will celebrate their graduation on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 January at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.